Green’s aunt had married an elder statesman of the Italian Mafia; the uncle, who was childless his entire life, treated Brugglin as his own son, favoring him immensely. Because of this, even though Brugglin never actively mixed in the underworld, his standing within that society was not insignificant. Especially after that elder figure eliminated the boss five years ago and took the top position himself, most of his subordinates regarded Brugglin as a crown prince. Although Brugglin had never explicitly declared his intention to enter the criminal world, his uncle had told him that his position would forever be kept open for him should he ever choose to accept it.

Ning Yunhuan calmly nodded, and Lan Lingyan felt no surprise; he had already anticipated events even less plausible. Knowing Brugglin’s background, she was not surprised in the least. She then selectively recounted some of Brugglin’s characteristics and details about the Green family to her, omitting the darker aspects. What Lan Lingyan could share with her, he held back nothing; what he couldn't share would only frighten her, so it was better for him to handle it himself.

In the reception room, Brugglin held Gu Yingxi tightly in his arms. Lan Biao sat with his legs crossed, fiddling with an unlit cigar. Since being sent away last time, Gu Yingxi had now stepped back into the Lan Ning Company openly. Although she always considered herself even-tempered, she couldn't help but feel a surge of triumph this time, feeling vindicated. She felt even more grateful toward Mr. Green beside her, and as for his intimate gestures, whether she had grown accustomed to them or whether her gratitude ran too deep, Gu Yingxi did not resist.

It was only when Lan Biao answered a call that the silence in the room was broken. He stood up and said, "Mr. Green, my master has arrived. Please wait a moment, Mr. Green."

As he spoke, Gu Yingxi’s heart skipped a beat. When Lan Biao had introduced himself earlier with the surname Lan, somehow Gu Yingxi knew his master must be Lan Lingyan. Thinking of seeing the man she adored, Gu Yingxi instinctively reached up to smooth her hair and touch her face, wanting to present herself in the best possible light for Lan Lingyan to see.

Brugglin, observing her subtle change, noticed the light in her eyes suddenly ignite. Her ordinary and plain little face instantly became radiant, as if transforming from unremarkable to utterly beautiful. This expression she never showed him when facing him, which caused Brugglin a pang of discontent. He reached out and pulled Gu Yingxi even closer.

Footsteps sounded, and even just by the sound, Gu Yingxi could sense which pair belonged to Lan Lingyan. She wanted to rise to greet him, but she also desperately did not want Lan Lingyan to see her being held in Brugglin's embrace. At this moment, Mr. Green would not let go, making her anxious; tears were close to spilling as she whispered, "Mr. Green, please let go."

Her voice was soft and fragile, which only made Brugglin more displeased. Not only did he refuse to release her, but he held her even tighter, coldly stating, "No need to rush. Just sit quietly."

Just as Gu Yingxi tried to struggle again, Lan Lingyan entered, holding Ning Yunhuan’s hand. The intimate posture of the two immediately made Gu Yingxi’s eyes burn with jealousy. Her aggrieved gaze fixed on their clasped hands, and she sharply noticed the rings on both their fingers. Finally unable to hold back, she let out a sob.

Ning Yunhuan looked at her jealous expression with some exasperation: "Miss Gu, we’ve only just arrived. You seem a bit rude acting like this, don't you think?" She herself was being held intimately by a man, yet here she was, showing jealousy towards Ning Yunhuan. Did she truly believe she was the female lead, radiating light so that she could have men around her, while other men were supposed to remain virginal for her sake?

This jealousy felt entirely uncalled for, especially since Ning Yunhuan was Lan Lingyan's wife—and she wasn't even feeling jealousy toward Gu Yingxi's ravenous gaze that seemed intent on swallowing Lan Lingyan whole.

Although Brugglin was displeased with Gu Yingxi's obvious feelings for Lan Lingyan, he was even less willing to let anyone else bully his porcelain doll. Thus, he coldly interjected with clear displeasure, "Miss Ning, I know an old Chinese saying: Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire. I assume you wouldn't like to hear such sharp and caustic words, so why say them to my beloved?"

"Your beloved?" Ning Yunhuan smiled sweetly. She felt no positive sentiment toward this man, so her words were naturally harsher, striking directly at his sore spot: "I thought she should be my elder brother’s beloved, or perhaps, she should belong to the majority of gentlemen."

Gu Yingxi had long suspected Ning Yunhuan might tell Lan Lingyan about her relationship with Qin Yi. Hearing this now, the thought surfaced immediately: She just wants to constantly slander my image in Brother Jiu’s eyes. She’s doing this on purpose, trying to frame me.

"You are talking nonsense!" Gu Yingxi cried out in anguish.

"Be quiet!" This was Brugglin’s displeased command.

Lan Lingyan looked slightly displeased. He signaled Lan Biao, who nodded and stepped out. Soon, several young men entered. Just as Brugglin was about to speak, Lan Biao grinned and pressed an object against his back:

"Mr. Green, now it’s your turn to be quiet."

"I do not like seeing anyone reprimand my wife in front of me. Whatever she wishes to say is the freedom I grant her. I hope you will respect her and not interrupt her when she speaks, or I will be very unhappy," Lan Lingyan said, noting the sinister look in Brugglin’s eyes as he curled his lips into an elegant yet cold smile.

"Is this how you treat guests?" Brugglin was taken aback by Lan Lingyan's audacity to resort to force publicly and felt a surge of anger. "Have you truly decided to become enemies with the Green family?"

Because of the Green family’s centuries of operation, they had built an immense network. Many people would hesitate to move against them without considering whether their clientele would agree, and whether their uncle would be pleased—this was why Brugglin, despite his youth, commanded such respect and held his position as heir, feared by many.

"If you come as a guest, of course, I will treat you well," Lan Lingyan said, then immediately instructed Lan Biao: "Mr. Green is our guest. Since he intends to place the Green Vineyard’s advertisement on our television station, we naturally welcome it. Go print a contract immediately and bring it here for Mr. Green to sign."

Lan Biao chuckled, and soon several gun barrels were pressed against Brugglin’s back, preventing him from moving. Lan Biao brought over a printed contract. Brugglin, his face ashen, glanced over the terms twice. Like Bai Mingyu previously, he almost couldn't stop himself from stamping the contract into the floor.

"You are pushing things too far!" Not only were the conditions inside harsh, but the fee for running the advertisement was almost equivalent to the Green Vineyard’s total income for two years. The word 'vast' couldn't adequately describe this figure; it was simply astronomical. How dare Lan Lingyan even suggest such a price? Brugglin's forehead veins were throbbing. Gu Yingxi, held in his arms, felt her waist nearly snap from his grip but dared not utter a sound. After Ning Yunhuan had just implied to Brother Jiu that she was promiscuous, and now being held by Brugglin, she was terrified that Brother Jiu would notice her current awkward situation. She didn’t want him to see her disheveled state, yet secretly, seeing the elegant Mr. Green—who was like a prince in her mind—being forcefully suppressed by Brother Jiu gave her a small measure of happiness for Brother Jiu and made her admire his bearing.

She muffled a sound, afraid of spoiling Brother Jiu’s momentum, but also hoping he would notice she was enduring this for him and ultimately rescue her from this embarrassing predicament.

"It depends on whether Mr. Green chooses the toast or the penalty drink," Lan Lingyan smiled, reaching out to stroke Ning Yunhuan's hair. Gu Yingxi couldn't stand this intimate gesture and tried to move, but the arm gripping her waist instantly tightened. Brugglin's face darkened: "If I choose the toast, then what? And if I choose the penalty drink, what do you intend to do?"

"The toast means we will be responsible for escorting Mr. Green to the elevator. The penalty drink means that unless Mr. Green wishes to never have the opportunity to enter or exit an elevator again," this was a naked threat. Brugglin himself was likely not entirely clean-handed; the Green family's vineyard hadn't survived for centuries purely through clean business dealings, otherwise, why would Brugglin's aunt have married into an Italian Mafia family?

"Mr. Lan won't let me consider it?" Brugglin had come today specifically to stand up for Gu Yingxi. Furthermore, through his overt and covert investigations, Gu Yingxi’s infatuation with Brother Jiu was no secret; he had certainly found out. That his precious Chinese doll was secretly in love with another man for so long—previously, he was content just to see Gu Yingxi happy. Now that these men didn't value her, and he had decided to step forward to protect his porcelain doll properly, he was naturally displeased that another man had dared reject her.

After all, even he couldn't resist her charm; if another man whom Gu Yingxi liked rejected her, wouldn't that prove that someone who offered himself willingly like him was inferior? Therefore, he came today deliberately to help Gu Yingxi save face and to show her clearly that among all the men in her life, he was the most suitable one for her.

Brugglin's behavior, to put it simply, was a comparison. Given his status, he shouldn't have engaged in something so childish, but Gu Yingxi’s charm was too potent, and he couldn't resist, leading him to act in a manner unbecoming of his status and grace. But if this attempt had succeeded, it would be one thing; however, now he was being completely cornered by Lan Lingyan. Brugglin didn't need to look at Gu Yingxi's expression; just from her attempt to struggle and her unblinking gaze fixed on Lan Lingyan, he knew just how much face he had lost today.